Hybrid Programs

[SteeleFox]

Good morning everyone! I was wondering what everyone's experience was with hybrid nursing programs, specifically the ABSN programs. Several of the programs I am considering have class online with clinicals onsite at a local hospital and planned "labs" several times per semester on campus. 

This type of program is attractive to me as it would allow me to continue with family responsibilities while taking classes, and not require me to rent an apartment for a year just to take on campus classes. But I am extremely concerned with not getting a proper "hands on" experience that comes with having lab access daily or even weekly. 

As nursing is an extremely hands on career, I do not want to jeopardize my future patients by taking an "easy" way out. 

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Nursing is an extremely 'brains on' career. This over-concern with physical skills (IVs, catheters etc.) puzzles me.

We routinely teach non-medical family members to perform 99% of the hands-on skills in a typical nursing program. 

The most important part is the critical thinking, the assessment and planning of care. A nurse who is an expert at IVs is just that- and expert at IVs. Not a 'better nurse' necessarily. 

Walk onto a hospital floor. Ask the charge nurse to point out which nurse went to a hybrid program, which nurse has an ADN and which a BSN. He/ she will not be able to. 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

I have railed for years about students thinking that nursing school is all about what they call skills. It’s because that’s such a big part of their grade, lab check-offs. “Oooh, you’re so lucky, you got to do a (Foley insertion, Salem sump irrigation, Dobhoff feed...) in clinical...” 

It’s also because any mention of the analytical part of the nursing process makes for eyes rolling when they go to clinical. “Oh, that nursing diagnosis stuff, that’s just for school, don’t worry, you’ll never use that once you go to work.” What’s between the ears isn’t as easy to observe as what the hands are doing. 

But as MMJ points out, what the hands are doing is a very small part of what the nurse is doing. The only thing that differentiates a trained family member or UAP (unlicensed assistive personnel) from an actual nurse is the nursing skills of assessment, judgment, and ability to plan / delegate care.
 

That’s why you go to nursing school, to learn how to think as a nurse. Never forget that. “Brains-on,” I like that. ? 

[amoLucia]

"Brains-on" really is a great definition.